A mild, simple and efficient method for selective α-monobromination of 1,3-diketones and β-keto-esters using pyridinium bromochromate

Pyridinium bromochromate has been found to be a highly efficient and selective reagent for the α-monobromination of 1,3-diketones and β-keto-esters in the absence of base, Lewis acid, or other catalyst. The products were formed in high to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions and in short reaction times.